Ford opened the door, and sure enough, there he was, smelling and looking just as fine as always. Dana had obviously showered too, because his hair was still wet and combed back, making it look jet-black. He had on loose jeans with a simple black and gray retro Jimi Hendrix t-shirt with dark leather boots. His body filled out everything beautifully. While Dana wasn’t as big as Ford, he wasn’t small. He had strong arms and legs, which he used to his advantage on the streets. But Ford’s eyes were glued to Dana’s hard abs and solid chest under the snug shirt.
“You can keep staring, but can you do it with me inside? These bags are heavy, babe.” Dana’s voice, even his eyes, were full of edge and amusement.
Fuck. Ford closed his mouth, not sure if he’d drooled on his shirt or not, and stepped aside to let a still-smiling Dana into his home.
“Well, thank you.” Dana kissed him quickly on the mouth on his way past. Not enough. He went into Ford’s kitchen, dropping the three full grocery bags on the counter. Ford looked bewildered. What was his brat up to now? He never told Dana he had to bring his own food.
“What are you doing?” Ford asked, leaning against the counter while he watched Dana maneuver around his kitchen, washing his hands before he began to unload the bags.
“I’m going to make us dinner.” Dana winked. “I’m starving. Did you eat already?”
“No.” Ford pulled out two beers and popped the tops on them. “I was gonna order Chinese or something.”
“Well, no need.”
“You’re going to cook?” Ford said skeptically, still looking oddly around at the scattered ingredients.
“Yes, Ford. I’m going to cook. It’s not that complicated.”
“You’re cooking nachos?”
Dana looked in his cabinets until he found a small pan and put it on the range, dropping a small hunk of ground chuck in before turning back to Ford. “Good grief. I didn’t say I was attempting a leg of lamb with mint jelly. It’s only cheap ground beef with a bunch of crap on top. I’m not making a five-course meal, man.”
Ford shrugged. “I’m a little surprised but, by all means. Go right ahead. I’ll be in here watching TV.”
Dana grabbed Ford’s arm. “Um. What the hell you think this is? All In the Family? You’re not gonna sit on your ass while I cook and call you when dinner’s ready. Get your fine ass in here and help.”
“I don’t cook.” Ford smirked.
“I don’t need you to.” Dana picked up the tomatoes and tossed one at Ford. “Start cutting. You can’t fuck up a tomato. Any way you cut it, we’ll put it on the pile. Same for the lettuce and avocado.”
Ford was still looking baffled when Dana rolled his eyes and moved him to the edge of the counter, put the knife in his hand and started to show him how to dice. It was cute and silly at the same time. Ford knew he could cut up a tomato and shred some lettuce, but Dana’s arms around him while he manipulated Ford’s big hand around the knife were too endearing to put a stop to.
“See. Easy. Just keep cutting like that,” Dana said softly, leaving his arms around Ford’s waist while he did his menial job. Next thing he knew, he felt soft lips against the back of his neck, moving gently across his heated skin. Then Dana’s hands were massaging his chest and abs as they moved lower and lower.
“You’re gonna make me cut my thumb off.” Ford put the knife down and turned in Dana’s arms.
“Sorry. Got distracted,” Dana whispered, tilting his head up higher. Ford leaned down, answering Dana’s request for a kiss by slanting his mouth over his and taking a deep taste. A taste he’d missed while they’d been working this evening. There was no fooling around when they were on the streets. Dana had been focused. Watching all their backs while they canvassed some of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Atlanta. Ford had wanted to reach out and pull Dana close to him so many times, especially after a guy got aggressive when Dana kept questioning him. Even Duke saw that Ford wanted to intervene but Duke caught him, telling him that he had to trust Dana now just as he had before they became more than work partners. He didn’t like Duke’s perception or observation, but his boss was right. Dana was the same badass he’d always been. He didn’t need Ford coming to his rescue.
Ford wondered how his feelings had changed so much so fast. Ford kept kissing and licking and savoring until he started to smell something. “Burning,” Ford grumbled.
“I’m hot too, babe.”
Ford chuckled in Dana’s mouth, scrambling to latch back on to his. “I mean your cheap beef. Smells like it’s burning.”